BSF keeping eye on madrassas on Indo-Bangladesh border

SILCHAR: A watch is being kept by the BSF on several new madrassas that have been set up in Assam's Karimganj and Dhubri districts along the Indo-Bangladesh border, a senior official said on Thursday.

Though there is no specific allegations against them, BSF's IGP (Assam-Meghalaya sector) P K Misra told reporters: "It must be treated with concern and a strict watch is being kept on their activities."

Speaking about militants, he said a list of militants believed to be sheltering in the neighbouring country has been given to the Bangladesh Rifles several times but no action has been taken by it so far.

The BSF has also initiated special steps to provide security to farmers working at Harinagar on the banks of the Surama river along the border with Bangladesh in Cachar district, he said.

River patrolling by BSF has been intensified and security measures along the river banks have been stepped up.

Misra said said the borders in Mankachar and Karimganj district had been turned into into a "cattle corridor" by criminals who smuggled cows into Bangladesh.